Blog

Why You Need an Experienced Lawyer for a Commercial Truck Accident

At first glance, it may seem that there isn’t much difference between a truck accident and a regular car accident. The truth is, however, that truck accidents are extremely complicated, involving numerous parties, large insurance policies, more evidence – and often – worse injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, it’s vital to understand these differences.

For over twenty years, the Houston lawyers at Lapeze & Johns have been ardently defending the rights of truck accident victims. They understand that just as trucks are much bigger than cars, so is a truck company’s ability to defend itself against a single person. If you want a fair chance at being compensated, you need to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer to help you.

Contact the Houston truck accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns today at (713) 739-1010 to determine what we can do for your particular situation. Remember that truck accidents and car accidents vary in many different ways, and you will want an experienced TRUCK ACCIDENT attorney to handle your case.

Difference Between Truck Accidents & Car Accidents

While it can be easy to assume that there are no differences between a large-truck accident and automobile accident, there are indeed some very meaningful distinctions. It is, in fact, these differences that can affect the amount of compensation a victim of a truck accident is able to obtain.

A qualified attorney will understand these differences and use them to your advantage to ensure you are properly compensated for your pain and suffering. These differences include:

Serious Injuries: The sheer size difference between a semi-truck and a typical passenger vehicle means that the injuries sustained are usually much more severe in comparison to a crash involving two traditional types of cars. Internal organ damage, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, back and neck injuries, and even death are some of the common results from a large-truck accident.

According to the most recent statistics on large-truck accidents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 75 percent of the deaths that occur in truck accidents are of the passengers in the car, not the truck. Remember, the worse the injuries, the higher medical bills.

Greater Property Damage: 18-wheelers can weigh 80,000 pounds, while a regular car – like a Prius – weighs just around 4,000 pounds on average. When these vehicles collide, the smaller car will always sustain worse damage than the semi-truck – if not be completely totaled. The more extensive your damages are, the more money you will want to try to seek from the at-fault party, and the more important it is to hire a lawyer who can help you obtain what is rightfully yours.

Multiple At-Fault Parties: The individual commercial truck driver themselves is rarely the only party you will have to deal with after a truck accident. Their employer, who is responsible for hiring, training, managing, and maintaining the trucks, could also be considered at-fault. Similarly, the company entrusted with truck maintenance, or the original truck manufacturer, could also be responsible. A truck accident lawyer will be able to examine the details of the accident and determine who to seek compensation from.

Larger Insurance Policies: Once you start dealing with huge corporations like trucking companies and truck manufacturers, enormous insurance policies come into play. Because there’s so much more money on the line than in a normal accident, these companies will often hire aggressive attorneys and try to pressure victims into settling for a fraction of what their case is worth. Truck accident lawyers are familiar with these tactics and will know the true value of your case, so they can fight for what you deserve.

Additional Evidence: In a regular car crash, the evidence is mostly limited to witness statements and photographs of the scene. Not so with truck accidents. Modern commercial trucks are equipped with numerous sensors and monitors that constantly record everything that is happening: acceleration, brakes, and even the environment around the truck. Furthermore, truck drivers are required to keep detailed logs of when and where they drive, and how long they rest. Their employers are also supposed to keep logs of what maintenance was performed when and by whom. All of this evidence can come into play during a truck accident lawsuit, and understanding the significance of it all requires knowledge and experience dealing with truck accidents.

Our truck accident lawyers at Lapeze & Johns have a long track record of successful outcomes for our clients. We are so confident in our ability to get you the compensation you deserve that we do not collect a fee unless you win your case.Contact us today at (713) 739-1010 for a free initial evaluation.

If you or your loved one have been injured in a semi-truck accident, know that you don’t have to suffer alone. Our legal team can help you move forward with your life. A brighter future is only a phone call away.